Hello everyone,

We have an 11 week old black labrador dog called Ben. In general he has been doing very well in terms of responding to commands and also with house training. However, one thing that is taking the enjoyment away from our walks in the park is his constant scrounging! He can't pass anything by without picking it up. I am talking about things like grass, flowers, bits of rubbish and stones. I tried to let him learn the hard way and just try these things out but he ended up very sick the other day so we are back to constantly saying 'No' and taking things from his mouth. It really is getting very frustrating and I am sure Ben isn't enjoying himself either. I have tried giving him treats instead but this isn't working. Should I just let things take their course?

He is responding very well to commands such as "drop it", "sit down", "come here" and "stay", but no matter what we do he is still insisting on picking up every object he passes. This can't be good for his own health and safety.

Advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Steven

Why not give him something you approve of him carrying instead - if it is practical soak it in water cooked in liver (although he may eat it anyway)

Christine

Hi there

This is a problem that concerns me too. Our Labrador is also 11 weeks and although not allowed out yet because not fully innoculated, he nonetheless eats anything and everything he can. So far he has eaten soil, small stones, grass, various plants and flowers, insects, slugs, paper (especially tissues - he will take a flying leap at a tissue if he sees us blowing our noses...) and a good portion of the backdoor mat. I spend my entire time prising open his jaws to retrieve whatever has just taken his fancy and he thinks his name is Archie-no-get-down-drop-it. Apart from this he's fantastic - housetrained (mostly), will sit, stay (for seconds and seconds), fetch his toys for us to throw etc. I just hope its a phase he is going through..........meanwhile if anybody has any ideas on how to stop this I'd be grateful too.

Best wishes

Sorry, I know this is a serious subject, but you have really made me chuckle, with visions of your "archie-no-drop it-get down" flying across the room everytime he sees a tissue :) Hope your noses are ok! :)

Sorry people but its a labrador thing!!!!!!

Darcy is 6 months old and still has to put absolutely everything into her mouth!!!!!

She does all the the normal commands well as well but havent ever been able to stop her scavaging

Someone more qualified might be able to give you some hope but I'm afraid you might have to join the rest of us who constantly have their hands down their dogs throats.
Luckily labradors have very resistant stomachs and most stuff passes through!!!!

My friend was telling me the other day how hers swallowed a McDonalds Happy Meal plastic character and that passed through fine